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"These people have not been given, in real terms, a pay increase for seven years. They've been given a one per cent rise, which is well below inflation, In effect, over the past seven years they've lost about 15 per cent of their annual wage."

Cllr Webster's comments come days before council leader Cllr Steve Brady and Cllr Helena Spencer, the cabinet member for human resources, meet with union conveners to discuss the issue.

"The leader will not appreciate me saying this but these are my thoughts," said Cllr Webster, who represents Bransholme West.

REPRESENTATION: Nikki Osborne, from UNISON, says members feel angry and upset at the move

Nikki Osborne, a Hull city branch convenor at Unison, said: "Our members are both angry and upset. This is the straw that broke the camel's back.

"They have lived through seven years of worsening pay, attacks on pensions, terms and conditions and now the council plans to charge them £500 to work.

"Our members believe that this is just an income generator for them."

Unison members are now being balloted over the issue after an indicative ballot result showed 97 per cent of those who took part were prepared to take some form of industrial action.

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In a statement, Hull City Council said: "Staff members who are required to use a vehicle for work, and are therefore classed as essential car users, receive 65p per-mile allowance which is to compensate for them having to use their vehicles and is in accordance with a collective agreement reached with the trade unions.

"The council is removing free parking passes currently given to 166 staff members who are classed as essential car users. A significant number of these staff members do not currently undertake high levels of car mileage and, as such, would be better served through the use of a pool car.

"The council is introducing a pool car scheme, allowing staff to use other methods to get to their work place, whilst providing access to a car.

"Some of these vehicles are electric and will also help meet our green energy targets. All other council staff pay for parking permits."